Exercise device

ABSTRACT

A friction-based resistance exercise device is disclosed. In an embodiment, the exercise device includes an elongated track, and a cuff slidably mounted on the track and shaped to provide a grip that is parallel to the track. The cuff includes a set of guide wheels and at least one friction mechanism for providing an adjustable friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff on the track. In some embodiments, the exercise device includes one or more handles extending laterally from the device, attached to the cuff and/or a head mechanism at a distal end of the track.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to exercise devices. In particular, this invention relates to exercise devices that utilize friction-based resistance.

Modem occupations are primarily sedentary and non-physical in nature. People are under strenuous time constraints that require more home- or office-based exercise devices. Because of urbanization, the space allowed for an exercise device is often limited.

Many different forms of exercise equipment exist today. Some equipment, like weight benches, curl machines, and leg extension machines, is focused on a particular exercise to work a very focused, narrow range of muscles. Other equipment is universally applicable to a wide range of exercise modalities and movement, and thus work a wide range of muscles.

SUMMARY

This document discloses a friction-based resistance exercise device that is suitable for a multitude of fitness and therapy applications. The exercise device is durable, portable, lightweight, inexpensive, safe and fun to use. In one exemplary aspect, an exercise device includes an elongated track, and a cuff slidably mounted on the track. The cuff includes a set of guide wheels and at least one friction mechanism for providing an adjustable friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff on the track. Each friction mechanism includes at least one friction-producing pad. Each friction-producing pad is adjusted by a knob positioned on the opposite side of the cuff.

In another aspect, the exercise device further includes at least one handle extending laterally from the cuff. The cuff can be shaped to create a grip that is parallel to, or coincident with a longitudinal axis of, the track or track. In yet another aspect, an exercise device further includes a head member attached to a first end of the track, and one or more handles extending from the head member and laterally from a longitudinal axis of the track. An exercise device can further include a base, and a foot member adapted to connect a second end of the track at a substantially right angle to the base. The foot member enables the track to be angled away from the substantially right angle to the base. In yet another aspect, an exercise device further includes two planar steps extending laterally from the center of the base. The base could be a circular platform or of any polygonal shape.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise device.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrates a cuff that provides adjustable and uniform friction-based resistance.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cuff assembly according to an alternative embodiment.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an exercise device 100 for providing adjustable isokinetic exercise modalities. The exercise device 100 includes an elongated track 102. The track 102 can be an elongated member; alternatively the track 102 can be formed of a number of modular, interconnecting pieces. The track 102 can be solid or hollow. In some embodiments, the track 102 is generally cylindrical and substantially rigid. The track may be liquid filled for being kept cool. In other embodiments, the track 102 has a polyhedron cross-sectional shape. The track 102 can either be straight or curved, or conical or tapered. The track 102 can be formed of a metal such as aluminum, a plastic, a carbon fiber composite material, or the like.

The exercise device 100 also includes a cuff 104 that is slidably mounted on the track 102, and which preferably circumscribes the track 102. The cuff 104 can be cylindrical, but in some embodiments has a circumferential shape similar to a cross-sectional shape of the track 102. The cuff 104 includes at least one handle 106 extending laterally from the cuff 104, and preferably two handles 106 extending from opposite sides of the cuff 104. The cuff can also be formed of a metal such as aluminum, plastic, or carbon fiber material.

The cuff 104 includes a set of adjustable or fixed guide wheels 105 for guiding the cuff 104 along the track 102, and for reducing torsion-based or torque-based variable resistance. The cuff 104 further includes at least one friction mechanism (not shown) adjusted by a knob 107 or other type of control for providing an adjustable friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff 104 on the track 102. The guide wheels and friction mechanism are described in further detail below.

In some embodiments, the exercise device 100 includes a head member 108 attached at a first end 103 of the track 102. The head member 108 can include a padding such as a foam or other soft material, and/or a resilient outer surface. Alternatively, the head member 108 can be formed of a solid material, such as plastic. The head member 108 is preferably spherical, having little or no sharp corners or edges, but need not necessarily be any particular shape. When a user operates the exercise device 100, the head member 108 can be placed against the user's body, such as the user's chest or stomach, or against a rigid object, such as a wall or ceiling, or piece of furniture. The head member 108 provides protection to anything the exercise device 100 is positioned against.

The head member 108 can also include one or more handles 110 that extend from the head member 108, preferably laterally from a longitudinal axis through the track 102. In some embodiments, the head member 108 includes two handles 110 extending outward from opposite sides of the head member 108. The head member handles 110 and cuff handles 106 can be formed of any rigid material, and may include a soft layer for allowing a better grip by a human hand. Each handle 106 and 110 may further include a distal end affixed with a bumper 116, to provide safe movement of the exercise device 100 and to prevent scratches or other damage to objects within an area of use. Each bumper 116 can also be sized and arranged to be gripped by a hand, to position the hand vertically and reduce pronation of the wrist during certain exercises. In some embodiments, the bumper 116 is similar to the knob on the end of a baseball bat.

The exercise device 100 may have a modular configuration beyond just the track 102. For example, the exercise device 100 may include a detachable base 112. A foot member 115 is connected to a second end 113 of the track 102 for attaching the track 102 at a substantially right angle to the base 112. The foot member 115 can include a ball-and-socket joint or other pivoting or rotationally-connected mechanism to enable the track 102 to be angled away from the right angle to the base. Accordingly, the exercise device 100 can be used at any angle, depending where the base 112 is placed or affixed. The foot member 115 can also attach to a specially-designed belt or harness to be worn by a user, which helps the user position the exercise device 100 at specific orientations from the user's body.

The base 112 can include planar steps 114, preferably extending laterally from opposite sides of the base 112. The base 112 and steps 114 can form a rectangle, or any curved or polygonal shape. Each step 114 and handle 106, 110, individually or as any number in a group, can include a strap 118 that is adapted to receive a human extremity such as a hand and/or foot. Each strap 118 can be adjustable for tighter or looser fit. The straps 118 allow for a better anchoring of a foot and/or hand to the respective handle and/or step, and enable movement in opposing directions without requiring that the handle be always gripped. The base 112 can be mountable to a wall, floor or ceiling, or interconnected with other bases 112 to provide other exercise modalities, for example parallel exercise devices 100.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a friction-based resistance cuff assembly 200. FIG. 2A shows a top-down view of the cuff assembly 200, and FIG. 2B shows a side cross-sectional view of the cuff assembly 200, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The cuff assembly includes the cuff 104 that circumscribes, or at least partially circumscribes, and is slidably positioned on the track 102. The cuff assembly 200 further includes a set of guide wheels 105 that are mounted to the cuff 104, preferably on an inside wall of the cuff 104, and at least one friction mechanism 120 connected to the cuff 104 for providing an adjustable but uniform, friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff 104 relative to the track 102.

Each friction mechanism 120 can be connected through the cuff 104 and biased against the outer surface of the track 102 via a bolt or other device connected to an adjustment knob 107. The adjustment knob 107 is used to adjust the level of resistance provided by the associated friction mechanism 120. The friction mechanism 120 can be a felt or similar material pad, a teflon or similar pad, or any combination thereof. Other friction-bearing materials can be used. The pad may be spring-loaded. In the embodiment shown, the cuff assembly 200 includes four friction mechanisms 105 arranged and equally spaced around the track 102.

In alternative embodiments, the friction mechanism 120 can include a disk brake or drum brake device. The guide wheels 105 can include ball bearings, and can also be shock or spring-loaded.

In the embodiment shown, the cuff assembly 200 includes eight guide wheels 105, in two sets of four where each set is equally spaced around the track 102, and where one set of four guide wheels 105 is positioned vertically above the other set of guide wheels 105 to inhibit or prevent torsion-based or torque-based non-uniform resistance at either end of the cuff 104 as it is being moved along the track 102. Those having skill in the art would recognize that any number and/or arrangement or orientation of guide wheels 105 and/or friction mechanisms 120 can be used with the cuff assembly 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cuff assembly 300 in accordance with an alternative exemplary embodiment. The cuff assembly 300 includes a cuff 304 that is mounted on a track 302. The cuff 304 includes a number of guide wheels 305 and one or more friction mechanisms (not shown) for providing friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff 304 along the track 302. The friction mechanisms are preferably adjustable by adjustment knobs 310 connected through the cuff 304.

The cuff assembly 300 further includes one or more lateral handles 306 extending out from a side of the cuff 304, and one or more medial handles 308 extending up or down from the cuff 304 parallel to and concentric with a longitudinal axis of the track 302. The lateral handles 306 can be rigidly mounted to the cuff 304, preferably at a 90 degree angle, but may also be hinged to the cuff 304 for limited angular pivoting. The lateral handles 306 can each include a bumper 307 that provides a better grip for the lateral handle 306, and/or a protective surface to inhibit injury or damage to other objects. The medial handles 308 can also include a bumper 309 for improved gripping of the medial handle 308.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, an exercise device as described herein an include weight plates mounted to the cuff assembly, much like a dumbbell or barbells. Also, the addition of elastic bands between the cuff assembly and the head or foot could be used to create increased or decreased resistance in one direction or another. Springs (coil or leaf) could be used to achieve the same effect. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An exercise device, comprising: an elongated track; a cuff slidably mounted on the track and shaped to provide a grip that is parallel to the track, the cuff including a set of guide wheels and at least one friction mechanism that includes at least one friction element interposed between the cuff and the track, the friction element being biased against an outer surface of the track for providing an adjustable friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff on the track.
 2. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one handle extending laterally from the cuff.
 3. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a head member attached to a first end of the track.
 4. An exercise device in accordance with claim 3, further comprising at least one handle extending from the head member and laterally from a longitudinal axis of the track.
 5. An exercise device in accordance with claim 4, further comprising two handles extending from the head member and laterally from a longitudinal axis of the track.
 6. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a base; and a foot member adapted to connect a second end of the track at a substantially right angle to the base, and for enabling the track to be angled away from the substantially right angle to the base.
 7. An exercise device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the base includes: an elongated planar step; and at least one strap connected to a top side of the planar step and adapted to receive a human foot or hand.
 8. An exercise device, comprising: an elongated track; a cuff slidably mounted on the track, the cuff including a set of guide wheels and at least one friction mechanism for providing an adjustable friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff on the track, wherein the friction mechanism provides a substantially uniform level of resistance to movement of the cuff as the cuff moves along the track; and two handles extending laterally from opposite sides of the cuff.
 9. An exercise device in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a head member attached to a first end of the track.
 10. An exercise device in accordance with claim 3, further comprising two handles extending from the head member and laterally from a longitudinal axis of the track.
 11. An exercise device in accordance with claim 10, further comprising: a base; and a foot member adapted to connect a second end of the track at a substantially right angle to the base, the foot member enabling the track to be angled away from the substantially right angle to the base.
 12. An exercise device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the base includes: two planar steps extending laterally from the center of the base; and a strap connected to a top side of each planar step and adapted to receive a human foot or hand.
 13. An exercise device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the two handles extending laterally from opposite sides of the cuff, and the two handles extending from the head member and laterally from a longitudinal axis of the track, each include a strap adapted to receive a human foot or hand.
 14. An exercise device in accordance with claim 13, further comprising a bumper attached to a distal end of each handle.
 15. An exercise device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the set of guide wheels includes an upper set of guide wheels and a lower set of guide wheels, the upper set of wheels and lower set of wheels arranged in the cuff to symmetrically contact the track.
 16. An exercise device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the at least one friction mechanism includes at least one friction-producing pad, and the friction-producing pad is adjusted by a knob positioned on the opposite side of the cuff.
 17. An exercise device, comprising: an elongated, generally cylindrical track; a cuff slidably mounted on the track, the cuff including a set of guide wheels arranged within the cuff symmetrically around the track, and a set of friction mechanisms arranged within the cuff symmetrically around the track for providing an adjustable friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff on the track; two handles extending laterally from opposite sides of the cuff; a base; and a foot member rotationally connected by a ball and socket joint to a first end of the track at a substantially right angle to the base, the ball and socket joint enabling the track to be moved relative to the base in a multi-axial range of motion.
 18. An exercise device in accordance with claim 17, further comprising: a head member attached to a second end of the track; two handles extending from the head member and laterally from a longitudinal axis of the track; and two planar steps extending laterally from the center of the base.
 19. An exercise device in accordance with claim 18 wherein each friction mechanism includes at least one friction-producing pad, and each friction-producing pad is adjusted by a knob positioned on the opposite side of the cuff.
 20. An exercise device as in claim 1, further comprising an adjustment member coupled to the friction mechanism, wherein the adjustment member can be actuated to adjust a level of frictional resistance between the friction element and the track.
 21. An exercise device as in claim 1, wherein the friction element is a pad having a surface that is biased against the outer surface of the track. 